Open Spaces

Most associate the term "Lone Ranger" with a fictional crime-fighting, masked man in the Old West who wondered what Kemosabe really meant.

However, folks in the know about Florida panther conservation just might start associating the term with “Lone Ranger Forge,” a critical tract of land secured May 16, 2012, in efforts to build a natural migration corridor for Florida panthers and other wildlife.

About 60 Florida panther proponents gathered in LaBelle, Fla. May 16, 2013 at the Interagency Florida Panther Corridor and Wetlands Restoration Forum. They were there to celebrate American Wetlands Month and the first anniversary of when we joined with partners to acquire and protect the 1,278-acre tract, then known as “American Prime.”

With the Caloosahatchee River in the background, (from left) Connie Cassler, Larry Williams and Craig Aubrey of the South Florida Ecological Services Office take a break from touring Lone Ranger Forge to share a moment with Florida rancher, Dwayne House (second from left). Mr. House owns the protected property, which is a critical part of the natural corridor needed for Florida panthers and other wildlife. (Photo: USFWS)

Why did I choose my current career path? One name: Jacques-Yves Cousteau, the oceanographer and marine conservationist.

Growing up I probably watched every one of his TV specials about his adventures aboard the research vessel Calypso. I knew by the time I was eleven years old that I wanted a career in a marine biological science so I could be near the water and study biology.

My parents were fully engaged and encouraged me to head to college.They always wanted me to have a choice when it came to my career, which was something they didn't have as children of the Great Depression.

My interest in nature, wildlife, fish, and all things outdoors began very early with much time spent outside with my mom. She took us on walks, hikes, camping, swimming, etc. and made it fun and informative, always naming different trees, pointing out various birds, singing hiking songs, and generally instilling in us respect for the natural environment and also a very strong interest in learning.

This early learning led me to pursue college immediately after high school. I started at the local community college and was fortunate enough to be able to live at home, take a few classes and work two jobs. One of the jobs was as a lab tech at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, which I learned about through one of my community college instructors.

Working in the lab. (Photo: USFWS)

This job made it clear to me that I really enjoyed lab work, and so after three years at the community college, I transferred to University of California at Davis to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry. During this time, I began to spend time with my folks fishing and, although I have never been a true 'fish in any kind of weather' angler, I found that I really enjoyed freshwater fishing.

After getting my degree, I worked as a lab tech and was eventually promoted to lead the lab. I learned a lot about various lab techniques and ways to approach molecular biology.

Why I do what I do? The simple answer … God. He has given me the drive, passion and opportunity for learning about the intricate and complicated systems of science.

As a kid I loved animals and learning about the world we live in. I had dreams of becoming a veterinarian to help and be with animals. My family went fishing often in the summers and my father was an avid hunter. I loved helping him clean the fish and learn about their inner secrets. What they were eating, where it went, and how it all worked together.

Working in the lab. (Photo: USFWS)

Then in my ninth grade biology class my future was sealed. I learned about the one thing that links all living things together ... DNA!

The volunteer at Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge tells people how balloons and other plastic discards end up on beaches where they choke turtles and seabirds. Then she asks listeners to pledge not to release balloons outdoors; hundreds have signed.

She’s decked out in a dress she made from 87 balloons that refuge staff collected from a coastal island before animals could swallow them. “Hey mom, look,” she hears a kid say. “She’s wearing that because she wants to save the turtles.”

For women who live in rural areas near Colombian nature reserves, feeding their families is a daily struggle. Though Colombia has the most bird and amphibian species of any country on the continent, wildlife conservation takes a backseat to providing basic needs such as food, clothes, and adequate health care. To help conserve birds and other wildlife here, you have to address the well-being of the people living alongside them.

Since 2003, conservation non-profit ProAves has been working with these communities in the buffer zones of their reserve network in Colombia, with support from our Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, other FWS international and bird conservation programs, and our partners. After years building relationships with the people, ProAves realized that to fully engage them and help inspire a love of nature, they needed to focus on the key members of the family unit -- women.

There are days when Service biologists are reminded why we do what we do. October 11, 2012 was one of those days for me.

I've worked in the South Florida Ecological Services Office for almost 21 years. In that time, I've done some pretty cool stuff, such as trapping beach mice, and helping capture and band crested caracara.

I even got to participate in the release of some Florida panthers.

On October 11, I went to the northern edge of the Everglades and helped band not one, but two, Everglade snail kites.

Today marks the 10th World Oceans Day! No matter where you live, whether it’s on the coast or in a land locked state, you can celebrate oceans and learn the important role they play on our planet.

To make the occasion even more special, this year is also the 40th anniversary of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The Marine Mammal Protection Act protects and conserves marine mammals like polar bears, manatees, dugongs, walrus and otters.